London, March 30 (IANS): England goalkeeper Jack Butland has confirmed he will miss the Euro 2016 football tournament in France, after fracturing his ankle during his national team's 3-2 victory over Germany last Saturday.

"I don't think it is (the European Championships) going to be an option for me now to be honest because I won't be able to play again between now and the end of the season," Butland said in a statement published on the official website of his team Stoke City on Tuesday, reports Efe.

The goalkeeper noted that he had an operation on Tuesday and will work hard to return "stronger and better than before."

"It is difficult because I have been working towards the Euros this summer, but I won't be able to be part of that experience now," Butland explained.

"It isn't the challenge that I expected or wanted this summer but I am going to approach it with the right mentality and learn from it, both physically and mentally," he added.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who started Saturday's friendly against Germany, was injured in the first half and will be sidelined for a period ranging from two to three months.

"I have not had to deal with an injury like this before so I will come out of it as a stronger person and a better goalkeeper and look forward to the start of next season," Butland, who earned four international caps, added.

England will compete in the Euro 2016 in Group B, along with Wales, Slovakia and Russia.